Last time we looked at our Islanders, they were 9th in
the east and about to start a 4-game road trip, meet Colorado at home and
travel to face former Isles captain, John Tavares and his Maple Leafs. The Isles went into the road trip on
a 3-game winning streak and were starting to elevate their game again. It turns
out, they continued to impress, going 3-1 on the road trip and beat Colorado
before their anticipated “reunion” with Tavares on 12/28. Head Coach, Barry Trotz
imparted his usual master-crafted commentary to set the tone of play early, “They
need to have some hurt.” Also said that he wants his guys to recognize that
Tavares made the decision to be their teammate no longer, in the summer.” - Taub
Tavares admitted it was a strange feeling and seemed a
bit uncomfortable at his Toronto press conference prior to the game. That was
nothing compared to how uncomfortable he would be after a 4-0 route by his old
team. The Islanders were led by a natural Hat trick from that ‘kid that won the
Calder’ and a solid performance by Robin Lehner in the Isles net for his 2nd shutout
of the season. We all knew the Isles were starting to win with Barzal
contributing in the assist column, but we also know how much better the
Islanders will be as Barzal continues to add goals the way he knows how. With
the evolution of his complete multi-zone game, Barzal has really helped the
organization move on from the last 9 years without a second thought. Per Andrew
Gross, Barzal - “Anytime you're coming to Toronto, Hockey Night in Canada,
playing in the so-called Hockey mecca, you're trying to play a good game.
You've got to be on your game against a team like that. You could tell before
the game everyone was dialed in." Barry Trotz tied (782 wins) Islanders’
legend, Al Arbour for 4th place on the NHL all-time coaching wins list, with
the team’s 4-0 win, per Eric Hornick.
While the Isles game on New Year’s Eve wasn’t quite at
the same level of emotion for many, it was a nervous time for Isles starting
goaltender, Robin Lehner. Lehner was open to returning to Buffalo after last season
but the Sabres chose not to exercise an option to extend the 6’4” goaltender. Lehner
has taken charge of the personal challenges in his private and professional
life, overcame several obstacles and has now refocused to better himself as a
person and an NHL goaltender. And for that, he deserves a lot of credit.
Unlike Tavares, Lehner played a major part in the result of a game against his former team and backstopped the Islanders in another well-played effort to get his 5th straight win and helped the Isles extend their winning streak (4 in a row and 7 of their last 8) with a 3-1 win against Buffalo. Lehner had an active shutout streak of 1:77:36 before allowing a Kyle Okposo power-play goal against in the Sabres game. Lehner is 9-6-0-3 with a 2.14gaa and a .930Sv%. He is the NHL leader in goals against average and Sv%.
The Islanders are 2 points better than they were at this
point last season. Although their goal scoring totals are down, but still at a
+12 goals differential, the more defensively responsible Islanders have allowed
an impressive 31 fewer goals against. A credit to Lou Lamoreillo, Barry Trotz, Mitch Korn and Pierro Greco for sure. With the win against Buffalo, The Isles helped
Trotz pass Al Arbour on the all-time wins list (783) for an NHL coach.
Injuries dictated that Devon Toews, Josh Ho-Sang and
Michael Dal Colle would suit up to help the evolving Islanders meet the challenge
of an 82-game season and have a shot to impress. They have looked very good and
have helped solidify team depth for New York. The Isles are 6-1-0 with Ho-Sang (now
getting time on top line) and 3-0-0 with Toews in the lineup. Dal Colle has
been awesome in Bridgeport and has really evolved his pro game in his 4 games
with the Islanders. Don’t forget, prospects like Koivula, Aho & Vande
Sompel continue to evolve in the Isles system under Brent Thompson.
Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield continue to be a major
part of the Isles improving defense. Johnny Boychuk, Leo Komarov, Brock Nelson,
Casey Cizikas and Anthony Beauvillier have stood out to me from the veteran
core over the last few weeks. Here’s hoping that Valtteri
Filppula returns to the line up soon after leaving the game due to
injury in last night. He could possibly be the Isles signing of the season.
The Islanders enter 2019 in the final wildcard spot with
a 21-13-4 record and 46 points. At 38 games, they have a game or two at hand
against all the teams above them in the conference except for Washington. In
the coming days, they face CHI (1/3), STL (1/5), CAR (1/8) before a
home-at-home against the Rangers on the 10th and 12th of
January.
This is seriously getting good.
Happy New Year, Isles Fans. Here’s to a better 2019.
Isles Notes:
Matt Barzal was named NHL 2nd star of the
week.
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